Articles
Your Credit Profile: Are You Smart Enough?
Today is Get Smart About Your Credit Day. As a small business owner, you don’t need to be a credit or finance expert, but in today’s world, it’s critically important that you have a strong foundation of credit knowledge and are vigilant in your efforts to build and maintain a strong profile. Every small business…
Business Isn’t Personal—Nor Should It Be
For many reasons (particularly in regard to credit), business and personal don’t mix. Although many entrepreneurs capitalize their early-stage startups with personal funds—they might use their home equity, personal savings, or personal credit cards to get things off the ground
Female entrepreneurs and financing: Overcoming the challenges
Canadian businesses owned by women contribute billions of dollars to our economy every year. The number of female-owned businesses has doubled in Canada over the past two decades. Yet women still face potential barriers when it comes to financing their operations, whether they’re looking for a
Building your business up when the economy is down
Entrepreneurs are often more confident about borrowing and investing in business growth during a roaring economy. However, business growth opportunities can present themselves, even during a weak economic cycle.
Financing Options for a Startup
With no history, no track record, and no revenue, borrowing capital for a startup can sometimes feel like searching for the Holy Grail. Nevertheless, there are options, but they might not be where you expect.
The easiest ways to build a strong business credit profile
It can sometimes feel like a Catch-22. Part of building a strong credit profile is responsibly using business credit, but obtaining that business credit so that you can responsibly use it is sometimes easier said than done—especially for young companies just getting started.
Out of the start-up zone: Pivoting a small business to growth
Most businesses are launched with dreams of future growth. But there are things start-ups and other early-stage businesses can do now to lay the groundwork and prepare for future growth. They can start by building a credit profile that will help them access borrowed capital when the time is right.
Are you a savvy borrower?
A love of accounting is probably not the primary reason most entrepreneurs decide to start a business, but most of us would agree that at least a basic understanding of good accounting and bookkeeping practices is an important part of running a business. Likewise, mastering the ins-and-outs of financing is important
3 Unexpected Ways Business Owners are Wasting Time
Here you are, coffee in hand, ready to tackle your store’s to-do list. But before you know it, you’re dealing with an order that came in unexpectedly, recounting last night’s cash report because it doesn’t add up and covering for your cashier whose, once again, late. Sound familiar? That’s because, on average, business owners spend…
Building and Motivating a World-Class Sales Team
Growing up in a small business, from my earliest days driving the delivery truck, filling customer orders, or sweeping the warehouse floor, my dad ingrained in me, “We are all salespeople.” [...]
Six Necessary Skills For Effective Operations
American small businesses are enjoying an overall positive uptick. As noted by Forbes, U.S SMBs entered 2016 with stronger sales growth, improved profitability and upward hiring trends. This [...]
Understanding Crowdfunding
The options available to small business owners, particularly startups, for finding capital are better than ever—but they might not be where you’re looking. Crowdfunding is one of [...]
Maximizing The Value of Financing for Retail Businesses
Like other businesses, many small retail businesses rely on borrowed capital to purchase inventory, buy fixtures, expand, or bridge seasonal cash flow gaps. Financing for retail businesses [...]
Managing the Busy Summer Season in a Seasonal Small Business
Many seasonal small businesses see a surge in traffic over the summer months. Their customers are eating out, traveling, investing in their homes with home and garden improvements, or [...]
Making the Most of Friends and Family Business Loans
Friends and family business loans, or financing from friends or family members remains one of the primary sources small businesses of every size use to access capital to fuel growth or [...]